Hollow Organ Tissue Engineering Translational Programme

8 February 2012: UCL Dr Paolo de Coppi and colleagues have reported a new protocol that creates a natural intestinal scaffold, as a base for developing functional intestinal tissue. This work, published online in Biomaterials on 3 February 2012, represents a step towards creating intestine transplant using patient’s own cells.

7 July 2011: UCL Professor Alex Seifalian designed and developed an artificial
windpipe using a novel nanocomposite polymer; it was then coated in the
patient's stem cells and implanted in a 36 year-old cancer patient. The surgery
was performed by Prof. Paolo Macchiarini (who holds a UCL Honorary appointment)
at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.

New collaboration funded by
the MRC Translational Stem Cell Programme

New interdisciplinary
collaborations developed as a result of the Hollow Organ Tissue Engineering
Translational Programme have led to the RegenVox -Stem-cell based,
tissue-engineered laryngeal replacement project being funded by the MRC
Translational Stem Cell Programme (start date: 1st April 2011). The project is led by Martin Birchall with
Mark Lowdell, Alex Seifalian, Sam Janes, Chris Mason and Paolo
Macchiarini.

Stem cell voice box transplant trials could begin in 2013

Speaking at the UK National Stem Cell Network annual science meeting in
York on 30 March 2011, Prof. Martin Birchall announced that the first clinical
trials for stem cell voice transplants could begin in 2013, thanks to a million
pounds provided by the Medical Research Council. Dr Rob Buckle, Head of
Regenerative Medicine at the MRC said: "Regenerative medicine is a key priority
for the MRC and Professor Birchall’s project could have a huge impact on how
transplants are carried out in the future.”More at the Medical Research
Council.

Since 1st April 2011, regular meetings take place as part of
the RegenVox - Stem-cell based, tissue-engineered laryngeal replacement
project, funded by the MRC Translational Stem Cell Research Programme